Easing up on an elbow, Trevor realized that the problem hadn’t been confined to his mind. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so ready and eager for a woman. Especially one not even in sight. A soft splash caught his attention. Glad for the distraction, he got up to investigate.
The door to Erica’s room was open. Her bag at the foot of the bed was the sole evidence that she’d even been there. He heard a splash again. The bathroom door was open ruling out the possibility that she was taking a bath. He ventured to the living room on his way to the kitchen and stopped short. He hadn’t noticed it before, but just off the back patio was a large pool with diving boards at one end. He knew in his gut that was where he’d find her.
Trevor stepped out on the patio and had the pleasure of watching Erica swim for the first time. If she was gorgeous on land, it paled to what she was in the water. She didn’t even have any music playing. That he could hear, anyway, but that didn’t stop him from feeling the melody she created to the core of his being.
He watched while one leg rose from the water. Then the other joined it before swinging around and spinning them both back down. She exploded out of the water almost to her thighs, posed her arms, and then sunk again. One arm led the way to the surface where it swiveled and twisted then was followed by her body. Trevor couldn’t figure out how, but she flowed across the pool’s surface with both arms dancing above her head.
He ventured closer to get a better look. She lay down in a crawl stroke for a bit then piked and her legs took the stage. Each movement was placed with such expert precision that he couldn’t look away. He found himself holding his breath while she stayed under longer and longer. When his lungs were about to burst, she lowered a leg back to the surface of the water and rolled up. An arm followed the trajectory of the leg.
Feeling as if the music was going to burst through his soul, Trevor rushed back inside the cottage and sat at the baby grand piano. He angled the bench to keep watching Erica while his fingers danced over the keys bringing her melody to life.
Erica could almost imagine she heard a lovely ballad playing every time she surfaced. She knew it had to be her imagination because it was the perfect complement to every move she made. Since she’d been trying to swim out her frustrations it wasn’t possible that the music was anywhere except inside her head. For that she was grateful. She hadn’t wanted to share something so personal with anyone.
She’d woken up with an acute awareness that Trevor was just across the hall with his rippling muscles and taut backside. Needing to rid herself of the excess energy those thoughts produced, she was delighted to discover a pool just out back. She hadn’t wasted any time in digging out her emergency swim kit where she kept an extra suit, goggles and nose clip at all times. One never knew when one would need to swim. And she’d needed to swim.
Erica gasped in surprise when she surfaced facing the open patio door and saw him playing the piano while watching her. Her dismay was palpable when the music she’d heard stopped along with his fingers.
“Don’t stop. It’s beautiful,” Trevor encouraged through the doorway. He kept his fingers poised and ready.
“Trevor? You’re awake.” Erica wondered just how long he’d been watching her. And playing that song. She’d never heard it before, but she knew it’d be a dream to choreograph.
“That was amazing.” Trevor came outside and squatted on the deck confirming her fears. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
Erica pulled off her nose clip and placed her goggles on top of her head. She wanted to see him clearly. He sounded sincere, but she wanted to be certain. “What’s the name of the song you were playing? It was lovely.”
“I thought you’d like to name it. After all, I was just playing what you swam.”
Erica’s eyebrows shot up. Playing what she swam? She’d never even heard of such a thing. She remembered all the music she’d choreographed. Maybe, just maybe, it was possible for a musician to work the other way. Write the music to the routine. After all, that’s how people scored movies. And Trevor was a talented musician. Still, she couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that he’d written a song for her.
“I’ll defer that honor to you.” Erica whip kicked to the edge of the pool. She paused to eggbeater and tucked her nose clip in the bottom of her suit so she wouldn’t drop it.
Trevor smiled. A genuine one. He held up a solemn hand. “I humbly accept.” A puzzled look settled on his face. “How do you stay up like that?”
Erica glanced at her legs where they churned water just below the surface. “Eggbeater. Wanna find a suit so I can teach you?”
Trevor shook his head and stood up. The way he backed away made her realize it wasn’t just the ocean he feared. “Maybe later,” he responded. “Are you hungry?”
Erica’s mind hadn’t progressed to food, but now that he’d mentioned it, she discovered that she could definitely eat. She’d already been in the water for over an hour. The workout had left her famished like always.
“I wouldn’t say no.” She hoisted herself out to the deck. Trevor went stock still. She followed his gaze to her chest where both nipples were standing at attention. Perhaps she hadn’t swum long enough. A voice whispered that forever wouldn’t be long enough as long as he was about. Erica wished she’d brought out a towel. Anything to hide the effect he had on her. She settled for wrapping her arms around herself. “Cold out here.”
Trevor met her eyes with a small smile. “Go get warm. I’ll see to breakfast.”
Glad he’d given her an out even though she knew he knew she wasn’t cold, Erica hurried into the cottage.
Trevor remained on the patio for a moment. The problem he’d thought he’d gotten rid of just came back. He focused his mind on anything that wouldn’t remind him of her. A task much easier said than done seeing how everything was starting to remind him of her. Figuring some type of physical exertion was needed Trevor glanced at the pool. He shuddered. He wasn’t that desperate—yet. He remembered his offer of food. Now that he could handle. He headed inside the cottage to the kitchen. He was very proud of himself when he never even glanced in the direction of the bathroom where he knew she must be.
Trevor patted himself on the back. The busy work of preparing their meal had gone a long way toward helping him forget about his reactions to Erica. Then she had to go and appear in the kitchen after a quick shower and wearing those sexy sweats again. All his hard work just about came undone. She countered the effect by jumping in to help with the preparations. A teasing rapport developed between the two of them while they moved around in perfect harmony. She was content to let him handle the actual cooking, but turned out to be great at anticipating what he needed next and when he was finished so the kitchen was tidied up as they went.
When they sat down to their meal, Trevor surprised them both by offering up a quick prayer of thanks. He wasn’t sure what had come over him. He never prayed around other people. The people he encountered in his line of work tended to be pretty uncomfortable with the reminder that God was in control. Generally, Trevor let it slide, but with Erica he was confident he could show her who he was. On some level, he supposed he hoped it would scare her away. When she tacked on a scripture to his prayer he knew his plan had backfired.
When they finished their meal, Erica could feel the somber mood settling around them. They had some unfinished business to iron out. She knew that neither of them was eager to broach the subject, and was happy to let Trevor take the lead.
Erica was surprised when he said, “After seeing you swim, I’d love to have you in the show.”
Had he changed his mind? Erica’s rising hopes began to plummet. She prompted, “But?”
“I can’t have you be my bodyguard.”
“Can’t have me or anybody?” Erica probed, working hard to keep the hurt at bay.
“Anybody.” Trevor paused to think. “And especially you.” He saw the wounded expression in her eyes and caught her hand in his even
while she was trying to pull away. “You know it’s too complicated, don’t you?”
“You need to stay alive and I can make that happen. There’s nothing complicated about that.”
Without bothering to rethink his actions, Trevor leaned forward and claimed her lips with his. They were every bit as soft as he’d imagined—softer. She tasted like the fresh strawberries and the Belgium waffles they’d just had and like … Erica. Electricity started zinging up and down his spine before igniting a heat that settled in his groin. It was so right, kissing this woman except it was also … wrong. Trevor stopped concentrating on what was going on with him long enough to notice that she wasn’t kissing him back. He pulled out every trick he knew all to no avail.
Erica tried every trick she knew to sit there dispassionately while Trevor’s clever mouth loved her closed lips. The electricity that was flying around her body caught her by surprise. She’d never been so attracted to anyone in her life. And never had that attraction had such high stakes behind it. She was glad for the sensible cotton bra she wore. It would do a much better job of hiding her straining nipples than the suit she’d just hung in the bathroom. And the heat pooling in her belly wouldn’t be noticeable. But her toes, she had to get them to uncurl. Why hadn’t she put on shoes?
Trevor stopped moving. He broke off the contact to look at her. Knowing she needed to attack so he wouldn’t see how he affected her, Erica said, “Feel better?”
Erica saw her ploy worked when he shuttered his expression. But not before she caught a glimpse of wounded male ego. He popped up from his seat to pace. Erica exhaled the breath she’d been holding then leaned forward to rest her arms on her knees. Since her body still wasn’t cooperating, she had a bit more hiding to do.
He turned to look at her, envious of her calm. Hadn’t she felt anything? Had he misread the signs between them that badly? There she was, sitting in the chair with her hands loosely clasped just beyond her knees. Then he noticed her toes. They were gripping the carpet like her life depended on it. Trevor fought back his smile.
Her question killed any triumph he had at his discovery that she wasn’t so immune to him like she pretended. Once he’d dissuaded her from this whole bodyguard thing, he’d pursue that tiny thread, but for now …
Trevor moved his chair and sat directly in front of her, mirroring her posture. He needed her to understand. But he was going to leave out all mention of the pygmies.
“I can’t swim.”
Erica frowned. He could see her confusion. “What does that … ?”
“After Jordan and I … He went back in the water. I wouldn’t.” Trevor looked away. He didn’t want to admit his greatest failure to her. But he knew she wouldn’t give up this bodyguard nonsense until he made her understand. Now that he’d gotten a little rest, he’d decided it was still a bit premature to call Caitlyn. “I was too afraid. Now, I just can’t … I’ve taken lessons over the years, but it always ends with me embarrassing myself.”
Trevor looked Erica in the eye. He needed to be sure she got it. “That’s what fear does to you. Once you give in to it, it’ll always be with you.”
He saw the understanding dawn in her brown eyes. He was ready for any argument she may have. Heck, he’d already made most of them to himself.
“You have homeowners insurance, right?”
Okay. So she’d lost him with that one. He shrugged. “Yeah. Why?”
“Well, what is that except giving into the fear that something will happen?”
“It’s not the same thing.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“It’s just protecting what I have. It’s a sound financial decision. Nothing more.”
“A bodyguard, especially with what’s going on is just protecting what you have as well. Isn’t that a sound financial decision, too?”
Man, the woman was good. He didn’t have a response to that. Not to mention the fact that she was making sense.
“In addition to making a financial mistake, isn’t your refusal doing exactly what you were trying to avoid?” Erica shrugged. “The fear is already there. You’re letting it prevent you from doing what you need to do. Back then, it was swimming. Now, it’s hiring a bodyguard.”
Crap. Why had he told her the truth? She was making too much sense for his peace of mind. And he couldn’t even fall back on the assurance that she didn’t know everything. He’d just told her. Not to mention the fact that he was starting to feel foolish for holding out. Still, the same worry tingled at the back of his mind. He shouldn’t give in.
Erica clasped his hands in hers to get his attention. Once he met her eyes again, she said the magic words. “I’ll teach you to swim.”
Hope blossomed in his chest, but he quickly extinguished it. Trevor gave her a wry smile when he stood and put some distance between them. That close together, he was sure he’d give her the moon if she’d asked. She almost had.
“You can’t teach me to swim. The last person who tried told me I was ruining his life and quit.”
Erica rose to the challenge, literally. She stepped toe to toe with him when she said, “Let me be your bodyguard and I will make you a swimmer.”
Trevor smirked. She didn’t know what she was up against. But if he had a chance to conquer his fear of water, then he knew he could do anything. Though reluctant to admit it, he wanted to try. “Deal.”
Erica smiled back. “Deal.”
Erica was getting fed up. They’d been on the road for the last two weeks and she still hadn’t managed to get Trevor in a pool. Four cities and six concerts down and Erica could be having the time of her life. Except she’d promised Trevor she’d teach him to swim and she’d only managed to get him to dip a toe in one pool.
Erica was startled out of her frustration when Megan bustled over and held a checkered fabric swatch under Erica’s chin. Trevor’s fabulous costumer mumbled under her breath, then grinned.
“Thanks!” She hurried away.
Erica was amazed how fast things had progressed. Like she’d expected, Trevor’s band and crew were skeptical at her last minute addition. There’d been plenty of idle speculation on why, but once they saw she had no designs on Trevor, they seemed to lower their protective shields. Once they’d seen her swim, she became one of them.
She was surprised to learn that some of them had pretty colorful backgrounds, but the one thing they all shared was a staunch loyalty to Trevor. He treated them well and with respect, and they tripped over themselves to return the favor.
Having such a loyal staff, both encouraged and frustrated Erica. Encouraged because she knew they could be trusted with his safety. Frustrated because she was able to rule out too many suspects without finding the culprit behind the attacks.
Erica considered Trevor when he headed toward her. He looked ready to leave. Using their predetermined route, they headed to their rental car. Though separate, Trevor was never out of her sight. Since leaving on the tour, Erica would find them both last minute housing apart from his band on the premise that anyone could find them with enough notice.
She’d even stumped his band. Trevor’s sudden disappearances after the concerts were apparently newsworthy since he always stuck with them. They laid odds that he had a “sweet little filly,” as JimDawg the drummer put it, holed up somewhere that he wasn’t ready to share with the rest of them. It amused Erica that they’d made sure she was included in the mornings’ bets that the little filly was a blonde, brunette, or redhead. She’d always emerge from her own hotel room late and add her own category. The chick was bald. The guys would crack up and they’d get on with their day.
Her mind snapped back to chew on her current problem. She had to get him in the pool she’d made sure was at their hotel. Before she’d come up with a viable plan, Erica heard Jaclyn declare behind her, “I’ve told you eight million times, I’m not using your product until you make it easier to take off my performer’s faces.”
Erica glanced behind her in time to see
Trevor’s makeup lady slam the cell phone closed and blow out a frustrated breath.
Jaclyn caught Erica’s look. “Why is this guy making sales calls at two in the morning anyway? I’m getting a new phone.” She tossed up her hands and stalked off. Erica smiled. The woman just helped her figure out how she was going to teach Trevor to swim.
Less than a half an hour later, Erica unpacked the large bowls she’d stopped to buy on their way to the hotel. Trevor studied her with a curious look on his face.
“The pool is beautiful. Wanna go take a dip?”
She was hip to his game. Every time, he’d make her think he was ready to get in the water. Once on the deck, he’d find some pressing excuse to not get in the water. The first pool was too big. Another too small. A third, too much chlorine. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t know that pool didn’t use chlorine. Erica recognized the newer facility and realized he’d been stringing her along. She was about to turn the tables on him.
“I don’t think we’ll have time.” Erica went to the small bathroom where she washed and filled the bowls with warm water. She grabbed a couple towels and returned to the main sleeping area with its two double beds.
He looked at his watch. “We have ten whole hours before we’re due at the airport.”
Erica put the bowls of water on the small table in the corner and sat down. “Jaclyn didn’t tell you?” At his blank look, she feigned a resigned look and regarded her bowl. “She’s trying some new product, but it seems it’s a nightmare to remove.”
Trevor sat at the table across from her. Eyed the bowl warily. “She didn’t mention anything.”
Erica snorted. “Not surprising. I think the sale rep is being a pain. But in the meantime, we’re supposed to soak our faces in warm water every night. Just to make sure it’s all off.”
Trevor scrubbed his knuckles against his cheeks. “Feels pretty clean to me.”
Secret Bodyguard Page 10